Summer Wellness Series: Nourishment

Jul 11

“Let medicine by thy food and food by thy medicine”
- Hippocrates

Along with the fiery, hot energy that summertime heralds in, the season brings along with it some of the sweetest, juiciest fruits and abundance of veggies. It’s actually my favorite time of year because it’s the season of stone fruits, berries, and melons!

How synchronistic is it that nature provides us with exactly what we need to stay balanced for every season that we're in? Summer surrounds us with intensity and heat, so Mother Earth provides us with exactly what we need to live a life of balance: fruits & veggies that are cooling in nature to help tame the fire burning brightly within us in summer. When it comes to selecting the fruits & veggies that would best serve us, know that there’s no perfect combination or solution. Every element exists within us, and some are more dominant than others as we move through the seasons and as we live different seasons of our lives.

One of the core principles of Ayurveda is that: Ayurveda is not a perfect science, it’s a science of daily living that provides a comprehensive approach to assess symptoms on our journey through life. We are not perfect people, and to try to be perfect is a heavy burden to bear. Let it go!

With that said, there are particular foods, specifically fruits & vegetables in this case, that benefit each Ayurvedic constitution more than others. if you’re uncertain of what dosha you are, not to worry, there are fruits & veggies that are beneficial for every dosha (tridoshic).

Tridoshic Vegetables:

Artichoke
Kale
Spinach
Cauliflower

Tridoshic Fruits:

Blueberries
Jicama
Pears
Apricots
Peaches
Grapes
Plums (sweet)
Watermelon

Pitta-Balancing Nutrition

I created a short list of foods for balancing Pitta and are cooling in nature, which will help prevent overheating (imbalance) during summer (Pitta season). These foods also will help encourage balance when you're experiencing excess heat (Pitta) in the body or experiencing Pitta symptoms (i.e., inflammation, headaches, rashes).

Cooling Vegetables

Cauliflower
Alfalfa sprouts
Artichoke
Celery
Arugula
Asparagus
Broccoli
Parsely
Cucumbers
Avocado
Bell pepper
Spinach (raw)
Broccoli
Cabbage
Carrots

Cooling Fruits

Guava
Dates
Berries (small amounts)
Pears
Figs
Blueberries
Mango
Pomegranate
Melons
Watermelon
Grapes
Lime

Not sure what's in season? Check out what's available at a local farmer's market. Let’s try our best to avoid imported fruits & veggies, choosing instead to support local farmers and minimize the carbon footprint of our produce. It allows us to live more in harmony with the earth. I know sometimes this may be challenging. I love picking up papaya or jackfruit this time of the year, both of which aren’t locally grown. Remember, it’s not about being perfect in any situation. It’s about doing our best!